WRECK OF THE "WHITE SWAN."

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1739, 11 July 1862, Page 3

WRECK OF THE "WHITE SWAN."

The s. s. White Swan, Captain Harper, from Auckland bound to Wellington, stiuck on a rook about 18 miles to the south of Castle Point, on Sunday morning, the 29th of June at a quarter past 6 o'clock. The chief officer! Mr. Hall, was in charge of the vessel at the tune, and Mr. Dawson, Chief Engineer in charge of the Engine room. The concussion was not very violent. It awoke many of the passengers, but not all, and caused several of them to go on deck. Capt. Harper had been on deck about half an hour previous to the accident, but had gone below. Immediately after she struck, Capt. Harper returned to the deck, and directed the officers to sound the differeut compartments, and on the chief officer reporting that the fore hold was filling fast, and that the ship was going down by the head, he gave orders to the man at the wheel to port the helm, and run for the land. He also requested the passengers to be calm, assured them there was no danger, that the ship LwoukLreach the land, and at the same time [ urged the Engineers to keep the vesseLaUier utmost speed. The shfp-wHSTfienstea-ninir'll" knots ai , hour. The Engineer having shut off I all the pipes that conveyed the water from the sea to the Engine room, used that in the hold lor the condensers, by an appliance called bilge injectors, it being afterwards thrown into the sea, by air pumps; the quantity thus pumped out was about 1000 gallons per miuute. The lime that elapsed from the vessel striking until she was run upon the beach, was nearly half an hour ;Ja period which, in the excitement, seemed to and is described by some of the passengers as only about five minutes. The engines were kept going until half-past 10 a.m. for the two-fold purpose of keeping the vessel s head firm on the beach, and likewise pumping the water out of the bold, during which time the passengers were being conveyed to the shore in the ship's boats. The Engineers only left the Engine room when they were compelled to do so, by the water putting the lires out. The passengers were all safely landed about Eleven o'clock, with such portions of the luggage and public documents as could possibly be u Saved> , About 4 P- m " Ml - Hall launched a boat and proceeded to the wreck, with the intention of saving auything that could be got at On arriving there he succeeded in getting on board by the starboard bow ; but on reaching the forecastle, found that it was impossible to save anything, as the vessel ws»s parting, and the sea making a clean breach over her. He then returned safely to shore. The following morning at daybreak, it was found that the ship had broken up, the masts, funnel, &o. t were over the side, and the beach strewed with wreck amongst which were several boxes of luggage &o* Iwo passengers haviug volanteered to proceed to the nearest station, which was found to Mr John Moore's, that gentleman kindly rendered every assistance in his power. Horses were sent tor ihe ladies, and a bullock dray to convey the passengers to the woolshed. On the passengers arriving at the woolshed, they made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit His Honor Chief Justice Amey Tequested all who could to assemble, when he offered up thanksgivings for their safe delirerance. Mr Moore despatched his son on horseback to Castle Point, in order to convey intelligence to the Storm Bird, which was expected to call there on her route from Napier to Wellington on Tuesday morning. Dining Monday night, a light was seen at a distance seaward, which led every one to imagine that it was the Storm Bird, and that they would soon be relieved from their uncomfortable position. A large fire was made, blue, lights burut, and every possible means of attracting the attention of the supposed vessel were resorted too by Captain Harper but without success, the Storm Bird not being able to call at Castle Point, and being unaware of the uufortunate catastrophe, steamed by. Tuesday passed without the appearance of any vtssel coming to their relief; but on Wednesday morning, at daybreak, all eyes anxiously looking seaward", the smoke of a steamer was observed in the offing, which proved to be the Storm Bird which had been sent from Wellington immediately on the arrival of Messrs. Duncan and Graham with the sad intelligence. Seeing the steamer approaching, preparations were immeaiately made to get all ready to embark. The Qtormßird anchoied as #Psetp/ttfe shore as it was prudent, and 4& M Mok iiihe - communication was had with her. i% about 2 p.m., all the passengers and their luggage wefie safely conveyed oa board, when the Siom Biff started for Wellington, and arrived in this polk at ten minutes past 2 a.m. on the 3rd July.